SLOW COACHES: NEW BUS TIMETABLE MAKES JOURNEYS LONGER

Southern Coast rails against integrated timetable

SOUTHERN Gold Coasters face longer public transport trips to get to theme parks under a bus system shake-up which comes into force today.

LNP Member for Currumbin Jann Stuckey is calling the change an “integration failure” that disadvantages those in her electorate.

Ms Stuckey, highlighting the extended travel time due to changes to the bus timetable, said: “In the past I could have got on at Tugun at 8.56am and been at Wet ’n’ Wild by

9.57am.”

She said that as of today that same trip has ballooned with bus and train transfers.

“Once again on the southern Gold Coast we are being dudded,” she said.

“We are a popular tourist destination. We deserve better services not less.”

A Bulletin check of the Tugun Surf Club to Movie World trip yesterday shows it would have taken an hour and 24 minutes. Under the new system, as of today, it could take either an hour and 24 minutes, an hour and 28 minutes or an hour and 50 minutes.

The new timetable has been introduced in an attempt to integrate bus services with the second stage of the light rail, which began taking passengers at Helensvale last month.

TransLink has axed bus route TX1 from Tweed via southern Gold Coast stops all the way to Oxenford’s theme parks, saying customers can now travel by light rail.

But Ms Stuckey said it was now a multi-transport mode hop requiring, by way of example, a bus trip from Tugun to Varsity Lakes, a train from there to Coomera station and a bus from there to the theme parks.

A TransLink spokesperson said route TX1 was removed because high-frequency buses to the theme parks would now depart from Helensvale Station.

Bus route 700 would provide high-frequency services, every seven to eight minutes from 7am-7pm on weekdays between the southern Gold Coast and Broadbeach, where the tram then links to Helensvale.

“Passengers across the Gold Coast, including the southern Gold Coast, can easily access Helensvale Station via tram, bus and train,” the spokesperson said. “Gold Coast residents were supportive of changes to bus services to the theme parks, including removing route TX1, during the extensive community consultation campaign undertaken in 2017.”

TransLink head Matthew Longland said the bus network upgrades would ensure public transport was fully integrated across the region.

“Timetables across the Gold Coast have also been revised to better reflect traffic conditions and bus journey times,” he said.

I AM writing in regard to the new restricted two-hour parking in the residential streets between Central St, Labrador through to TSS High School on Ferry Rd, Southport. It appears the Council has not erected signs or advised the people living in these areas this will be implemented in February 2018.

There are hundreds of mums and dads who work at local schools and other businesses in these areas who rely on street parking, namely Southport High School, to attend their employment.

I have a family member who is a teacher at Southport High School and resides in Biggera Waters. She drives two children to school at Ashmore then drives her other child to school and then to her job.

She then drives back to Ashmore after school to pick up the children. There is no public transport (bus or tram) which she would be able to use.

I know this parking restriction will affect many families who are struggling to pay rates, electricity bills and provide food for their children. Now this Council is basically preventing them from attending their employment.

I have written to Tom Tate and I am waiting on a reply.

I am a regular reader of the Bulletin and always read the “Your Views” section.

I have not written to complain about issues before, however I feel the parking restrictions being placed on hard-working families of the Gold Coast, are absolutely disgusting.

I can’t imagine how many Gold Coast residents will be paying parking fines which they don’t deserve. MARY CASSAR, PARKWOOD

IN reply to “bush basher” (charming sobriquet for a greenie), who asserts that “the real locals don’t want it” (the cableway to Springbrook). Well I came here in 1972 and brought up four children.

Do I not qualify as a “real local”?

I know of many hard-working “real locals” who are completely in favour of this project.

I have absolutely no connection to the people who are proposing to build this project and risk losing their money.

Since my letter was published, I have been approached by numerous people who are very worried about what has been transpiring in Springbrook since Government have been buying up all the properties there i.e. $5 rents etc, resuming land proposed for children’s recreation, almost no desire to reopen the main, shortest road up into Springbrook following cyclone Debbie. Hey that was yonks ago.

There does not appear to be time enough complete this work in time for the Games.

The poor genuine Springbrook folk have to cover more territory than Burke and Wills to get off the mountain.

Let’s also hope the native bushes that “bush basher” bashes are not endangered species. It is impossible to bash any of our wonderful bushland when you are travelling in the cable car and enjoying the wonderful vista that it provides.

What is your government’s position on this enterprise, Annastacia? You do have a party member representative on the Coast now. DR ROGER BURGESS, CURRUMBIN WATERS

I AM over the disaster which could befall us with Commonwealth Games traffic woes.

Anyone who has been involved in trying to negotiate the M1 or Gold Coast Highway in recent weeks will know what I mean.

Right now I am wondering if we have the public transport drivers to act as ‘’tourist guides’’ and be friendly and helpful to visitors.

Most bus drivers are pretty good, but some on the Gold Coast Highway route can be a worry.

Together with taxi drivers, they form a front line of cheery faces as people arrive here, athletes and spectators alike, and we need them to be on song as well as each one of us as we go about our daily lives.

As long as people have plenty of time and patience we will get through; just don’t drive a car. REX HUNTLEY, PALM BEACH

YOUR article last Thursday, “Sprint to the Finish Line” (GCB, 4/1/18), I am afraid only points out that after 7½ yeas at the helm Mark Peters has dropped the baton.

After 50 years in the construction industry it seems highly apparent that he is at least six months behind. The bulk of that work should now be completed so it only requires a final defects list to ensure any problems can be rectified prior to the Games.

You are giving him a pass mark way too early. STAN FORGHAM, MUDGEERABA

DON’T be told otherwise, any disruption or closing of rail services will be caused by the unions.

Their refusal to allow interstate drivers to work is the reason for previous stoppages and any future ones. And boy some of those they are “training” are that inexperienced they are failing to stop at some stations.

Well that’s what you get with Labor. ROD WATSON, SURFERS PARADISE

THEY say love rocks and how fitting for Burleigh Heads to have its own “Love Rock”. (GCB Jan 4).

With the ocean in the background, it’s a picture perfect setting for loved up couples to be snapped.

I hate being negative but how long will it last in its present state. Forever I hope. KEN JOHNSTON, ROCHEDALE SOUTH